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142-663: The Rann government was the state executive government of South Australia led by Premier of South Australia Mike Rann of the South Australian Branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 2002 to 2011. Rann is a former Australian politician who served as the 44th Premier of South Australia . He succeeded Lynn Arnold as state Labor leader and South Australian Leader of the Opposition in 1994. He led Labor to minority government at

284-664: A AAA rating under the Rann Labor government, prompting Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan to praise Labor's economic management. In February 2006, Rann, as Minister for the Arts, announced that the Adelaide Fringe Festival would be funded to become an annual event from 2007. Rann was comfortably re-elected in 2006 , taking 28 seats to the Liberals' 15—to date, Labor's largest parliamentary majority since

426-665: A gorge after Cudlee Creek . It flows through the gorge to Athelstone , passing over the Eden Fault Zone of the Adelaide Hills face and associated escarpment. After the scarp it flows over sedimentary rocks of varying resistance to erosion , which has led to interspersed narrows and broad basins. From the base of the Adelaide Hills to the Adelaide central business district it runs in a shallow valley with

568-544: A 1-in-200-year flood. When the O-Bahn Busway was opened, the bridges were designed to cope with this scale of flood, although the two bridges in St Peters would likely be awash. The 470 ML (17 million cu ft) Torrens Lake was created in 1881 with the construction of a weir, landscaping of Elder Park and modification of the river's bank and surrounds into an English formal park. The lake forms

710-662: A 580 place car park building. In 2002 Rann announced a $ 336 million redevelopment of the Lyell McEwin Hospital to effectively double its size. In October 2003 Rann and Health Minister Stevens opened state of the art maternity, obstetrics and gynecology sections as well as a new women's and children's area at the Lyell McEwin. In April 2005 Rann and Stevens opened six new operating theatres, a new Emergency Department, new medical imaging facilities and women's health consulting and treatment facilities. In February 2003

852-407: A centrepiece of many Adelaide events and postcard scenes. Elder Park with its iron rotunda was opened on 28 November 1882. The Rotunda is a largely Glasgow built 9-metre-high (30 ft) iron bandstand which was funded by Sir Thomas Elder , the park being named after him. In 1867, prison labour from nearby Adelaide Gaol was used to build a wooden dam near the site of the current weir. The dam

994-510: A choir in Popeye 4 . Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser officially launched three new fibreglass models named Popeyes I , II and III in 1982 as the wooden boats' replacements. In the early days of Adelaide, the Torrens was used for bathing, stock watering, rubbish disposal, water supply and as a de facto sewer and drainage sump. This led to a range of health issues until finally, in 1839, when

1136-515: A dysentery outbreak killed five children in one day, Governor Gawler forbade bathing, clothes washing and the disposal of animal carcases in the Torrens within 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) of town. The quality of the river's water was not helped by water supply methods. Carters used to drive water carts into the Torrens to refill. To prevent this the State Government in 1852 built a facility with steam powered pumps and water storage, from which

1278-663: A fifth four-year term at the 2018 election . It is South Australia's second longest-serving South Australian government behind the Playmander -assisted Thomas Playford IV . Aside from Playford, for the second time, a party had won four consecutive state elections in South Australia, which occurred first for the second time when Don Dunstan led Labor to four consecutive victories between 1970 and 1977 . Other recent hung parliament elections occurred when Labor came to government in 2002 , and immediately prior to that when

1420-428: A group of activists opposed to uranium mining, who entered the event wearing faux radiation protection suits and carrying a large banner. His public address was later interrupted by a man offering him a cuttlefish piñata and a copy of The Advertiser to hit it with. Both protests were responses to the possible environmental impacts of BHP's controversial Olympic Dam mine expansion project. Rann formally resigned from

1562-500: A historic 64 percent Preferred Premier rating with a historic 61 percent Labor two-party-preferred vote. University of Adelaide Professor of Politics Clem Macintyre said that after John Bannon and the State Bank collapse, Rann had to re-establish Labor's credentials as an economic manager as a matter of urgency, and "in that sense Rann had a whole lot of priorities to concentrate on that Don Dunstan didn't even think about", with

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1704-533: A legacy built on economic achievements, achieving the triple-A credit rating, as well as its capacity to deliver infrastructure projects. Following the 2002 election , Rann Labor defeated the Kerin Liberal minority government , ending two terms (eight years) of Brown / Olsen /Kerin Liberal governments. Labor formed their own minority government before winning in a landslide at the 2006 election . Labor

1846-612: A major law and order initiative with the toughening of laws and sentencing for a wide range of crimes including bushfire arson; a big increase in police numbers and the introduction of DNA testing of prisoners as well as those charged or suspected of crimes, with the most wide reaching legislation in Australia. In 2003 Rann launched the SA Urban Forests initiative to plant a million trees in the Adelaide metro area. This target

1988-541: A motion against his leadership at the yearly Labor convention in 2010. In early 2011 Rann reshuffled his cabinet after Deputy Premier and Treasurer Kevin Foley resigned from both positions but remained in the cabinet. Attorney-General John Rau became Deputy Premier and Jack Snelling became Treasurer. In March 2011 Rann announced that a huge area of the Nullarbor Plain , stretching almost 200 km from

2130-613: A move that angered the mining industry, Rann announced permanent protection, including a ban on mining, at the Arkaroola Protection Area of the northern Flinders Ranges , 700 km north of Adelaide. This was followed in October 2011 by special legislation to prohibit mining, mining exploration and grazing. Rann also moved to nominate the Arkaroola area for national and world heritage listing. In late July 2011,

2272-466: A new desalination plant to guarantee Adelaide's water supply. He said the plant, to be totally powered by renewable energy, would be "a necessary insurance policy against future droughts." On 13 May 2009, following funding negotiations between Rann and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd , it was announced that the plant would be doubled in size and be capable of supplying 50% of Adelaide's water supply. The project

2414-406: A plan for the state, not just promises at each election. A lot of colleagues interstate thought I'd gone mad when we named targets. Well we didn't want to set targets we could easily pass and then pat ourselves on the back for, what's the point of that?" A total of 79 economic and social targets were set, and in 2010 Rann commented "with most of its targets achieved, on track or within reach". However,

2556-580: A private university, to be named Torrens University Australia and backed by Laureate International Universities , would be established in Adelaide. It was opened by Laureate's Honorary Chancellor and former US President Bill Clinton in July 2014. His final public engagement as Premier was the opening of the South Australian Film Corporation 's Adelaide Studios. The gala event was interrupted by two protests. The first involved

2698-610: A record period as Labor leader. New and continued projects for Rann Labor's third term were claimed to be the biggest infrastructure spend in the state's history, which included rail electrification of Adelaide's train lines , expansion of the Glenelg tram line , construction of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital , the Adelaide Oval redevelopment, expansion of the Adelaide Convention Centre , redesigning

2840-539: A series of letters to the Premier. At a Labor fundraiser at the National Wine Centre on 1 October 2009, a man later identified as her husband was observed to have hit Rann in the face several times with a rolled-up magazine. An aggravated assault charge was laid over the matter. The charge was subsequently downgraded to basic assault. The accused plead guilty to the downgraded charge, and on 4 March 2010 he

2982-489: A small increase in the two-party-preferred vote. This, coupled with the "dodgy documents affair", also known as "dodgy-gate", saw Hamilton-Smith step down from the Liberal leadership, to be replaced by Isobel Redmond . Successful Frome candidate and independent MP Geoff Brock would later prove instrumental to the formation of a fourth-term Labor government. In May 2009, following funding negotiations between Rann and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd , federal funding of $ 291 million

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3124-554: A successful campaign to secure the construction of new Air Warfare Destroyers in Port Adelaide and committed the government to build the $ 400 million Techport maritime precinct and shiplift. The Rann government pursued new mining projects and introduced the PACE scheme to encourage and subsidise mining exploration. The first term also saw the opening, by Rann, Prime Minister John Howard and NT Chief Minister Clare Martin of

3266-555: A terraced floor, then down the slope of its own alluvial fan . The structure of this fan shows that the river formerly entered Gulf St Vincent via the Port River . Over time the Torrens deposited sediment , choking its own outflow; becoming locked behind coastal sand dunes and forming the swampy areas of the Cowandilla Plains and The Reedbeds . The Torrens is fed by numerous seasonal creeks, which are dry for most of

3408-447: A third four-year term at the 2010 state election with 26 of 47 seats though with only 48.4 percent of the two-party preferred vote. It was the first Rann Labor election campaign that took to YouTube and social networking . As Labor held government until the 2014 state election , with four-year terms, it was and is the longest-serving period of a South Australian Labor government in history. Rann also served as Labor leader since 1994,

3550-517: A total ban on the further privatisation of state assets; the introduction of shop trading on Sundays and weekday evenings across the Adelaide metro area; legislated to raise the school leaving age for the first time in 42 years to 16 (later to 17); a central commitment to restore the state's finances to a AAA credit rating; established the Economic Development Board headed by mining magnate Robert Champion de Crespigny ; launched

3692-411: A vast but shallow freshwater wetlands . These wetlands, known as The Reedbeds after the dominant vegetation, occupied a large area of the western Adelaide Plains and were also fed by other waterways. The river only flowed to the sea through the Port River , Barker Inlet , and Patawalonga River following heavy rain. The river's catchment area of approximately 500 km (193 sq mi)

3834-437: A weir on the river at Gumeracha , its elevation allows gravity supply of water to Adelaide's eastern suburbs. Due to the river's path through the centre of Adelaide, transport necessitated the construction of many bridges. Prior to the bridges all crossings had been via fords which proved a dangerous practice in winter and spring. The first bridge was one of timber built in 1839 approximately 500 metres (1,600 ft) west of

3976-560: A winning position on 54 to 46 in late 2008, and then 56 to 44 in early 2009 along with increases in the Preferred Premier rating. Polling taken from The Sunday Mail during the 50-50 polling suggested that whilst there had been large swings away from the government in country areas, polling held relatively firm at 2006 election levels in the metropolitan areas. The 2009 Frome by-election sparked by former Liberal Premier Rob Kerin 's resignation from parliament saw Labor pick up

4118-407: A year with 785.6 millimetres (30.93 in) of rain compared to the Adelaide average of 530 millimetres (21 in). The river flooded market gardens and farms throughout its hills course causing extensive damage. Norwood was inundated to The Parade , Adelaide to Pirie and Rundle Streets, and many areas west of the city were left in a shallow lake. The river ran 9 feet (2.7 m) deep over

4260-736: Is an open canal shortly before it joins the Torrens. It was once called Hallet's Rivulet. Stonyfell Creek , arising on the eastern boundary of Stonyfell , flows through Kensington Gardens , including an open stretch in the Reserve before again being piped underground under West Terrace, passing under Kensington Park and Beulah Park . It joins Second Creek near the junction of Magill and Portrush Roads . First and Second Creeks come within about 46 metres (50 yd) of each other in Marryatville, with formerly only flat land between them. Third Creek arises near Norton Summit and flows through

4402-727: Is exercised by the premier of South Australia and the Cabinet of South Australia , who advise the Governor. The Cabinet comprises 15 ministers, headed by the Premier, who are either members of the House of Assembly or the Legislative Council . Cabinet is responsible for determining policies which are submitted to Parliament. As of 15 April 2024, the ministry of the South Australian Government comprised

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4544-481: Is now the official name of Fourth Creek. This name has been adapted to Morialta, which is now the name of an electoral district , school and the park through which the creek flows. Fifth Creek arises within the Morialta Conservation Park, runs alongside Montacute Road for some way and discharges into the Torrens at Athelstone . The largest catchment of the Torrens is Sixth Creek in

4686-446: Is setting up a social inclusion unit based on ours. Again it's about us not only making a difference locally, but being a kind of model for others, which is what Dunstan used to say he wanted us to be ... a laboratory and a leader for the future." Rann says he expected other reforms to be based upon those enacted under his government, citing the state's strategic plan, a 10-year framework for the development of government and business. "It's

4828-589: Is the formal mechanism for administration of the state. Many of the decisions made by Cabinet do not have legal effect until they are signed by the Governor in Executive Council. All items for the approval of the Governor in Executive Council must first be considered by Cabinet, with the exception of the assent to Acts. When exercising a statutory power, the Governor must act with the advice and consent of Executive Council. All ministers are ex officio members of Executive Council. In practice, executive power

4970-551: Is the largest of any waterway within the Adelaide region. The upper reaches are used to create a potable water supply for metropolitan Adelaide with the river supplying three of Adelaide's eight reservoirs. The upper catchment has an average annual rainfall of between 575 millimetres (22.6 in) at its eastern end to 1,025 millimetres (40.4 in) near Uraidla . The Torrens has a very variable flow leaving early settlers to use trial and error in determining bridge heights, with many bridges consequently being washed away. Due to

5112-416: Is the third- longest serving Premier of South Australia behind Thomas Playford IV and John Bannon − the third- longest serving Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 2002 behind Mick O'Halloran and Robert Richards − and served a record 17 years as South Australian Labor parliamentary leader from 1994 to 2011. He was a South Australian MP in the House of Assembly from the 1985 election and Father of

5254-559: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and The Advertiser reported that senior figures within Labor had indicated to Rann that the left and right factions had formally decided to replace Rann with Education Minister Jay Weatherill as party leader. A day later, Rann confirmed he would stand down and undergo a party leadership transition to Weatherill, with the handover occurring in October 2011. In

5396-671: The 1997 election which saw the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia , created in 1974, win re-election for the first time. Achievements of the Rann government include job numbers raised and unemployment lowered, funding increased for health and education, the expansion of mining and defence industries, investment in wind power in South Australia making it the leader of wind power in Australia , and funding increased for new projects including:

5538-402: The 2002 election , before attaining a landslide win at the 2006 election . The Rann government was elected to a third four-year term at the 2010 election , retaining majority government despite a swing − giving Labor a record 12 years in government. He resigned as Premier in October 2011 after a year of poor opinion polling saw him lose party support and was succeeded by Jay Weatherill . Rann

5680-493: The 2010 election . Labor's primary vote dived to 29 percent, down 8.5 percent, the Liberal vote remained at 42 percent, whilst the Greens surged to 14 percent, an increase of 6 percent, with "other" slightly higher. The subsequent Newspoll saw the two-party vote narrow to 46–54, a swing against Labor of just 2.4 percent, however there was no statistical change in Rann's personal satisfaction-dissatisfaction ratings. In July 2011, in

5822-625: The Adelaide Botanic Garden to create the First Creek Wetland , a scheme set up to ensure water security and to encourage diversity of flora and fauna in the area, thus helping to maintain healthy urban environments. Botanic Creek runs through the eastern Adelaide parklands from south to north, into the Adelaide Botanic Garden before joining First Creek. Second Creek arises in the Summertown area of

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5964-512: The Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Adelaide Festival of Arts , with the closeness of events on the calendar earning the third month of the year the title of "Mad March". During Rann's first and second terms, Rann was often the most popular Premier in the country, with his approach to government generally moderate and crisis-free. Newspoll early in 2007 saw Rann peak at a historic 64 per cent as Preferred Premier, and 61 per cent on

6106-527: The Adelaide Hills , north of First Creek, and flows through Greenhill , through Slape Gully, entering the more populated suburbs as it flows through the Michael Perry Reserve in Stonyfell and onwards through the eastern suburbs of Erindale , Marryatville , Kensington (open at Borthwick Park ) and Norwood , much of it canalised underground as far as St Peters . The St Peters section

6248-602: The Adelaide Zoo . The first boat was launched on the Torrens Lake by Gordon Watts in 1935. It was a 25-foot (7.6 m) boat, built on the banks of the Torrens to hold up to 20 passengers and named Popeye 1 . Watts purchased a former Glenelg cruise boat in 1948 and placed it in service as Popeye 2 . Over the next two years three new jarrah hulled boats were built at Port Adelaide ; carrying 40 passengers each they were numbered Popeye 3 through Popeye 5 . Trips on

6390-669: The Adelaide to Darwin Railway , the longest north-south railway in the world; a major redevelopment of Adelaide Airport with some state funding, opened by Rann and Howard in October 2005; a commitment to extend the Glenelg to Adelaide tramline and modernise the tram fleet; the announcement that both the US Carnegie Mellon University and the UK's Royal Institution for science education would establish in Adelaide. Rann and Attorney-General Michael Atkinson launched

6532-654: The Adelaide tram extension and new vehicle purchase, commencement of the rail electrification of Adelaide's train lines , construction commencement of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital , redevelopment of the Adelaide Oval , expansion of the Adelaide Convention Centre , upgrade of the River Torrens Riverbank precinct, redevelopment of the Adelaide Airport , construction of the Port Stanvac Desalination Plant , and

6674-593: The Constitution Act 1856 , which created a bicameral parliament and an executive responsible to it. Boyle Finniss was appointed the first Premier of South Australia as part of an interrim executive until elections to the new Parliament could be held in 1857 . The executive comprised ministers selected from the Parliament and the Governor was no longer able to unilaterally make most decisions. The new Parliament and Executive took over almost all of

6816-539: The Flinders Medical Centre , which included an expanded and redeveloped emergency department, new operating theatres, a new cardiac unit, an expanded intensive and critical care unit, and new day surgery unit. Fourth quarter 2007 polling saw a reduction in the strong support for Rann's Labor government since the previous election, on 54 percent of the two-party-preferred vote , a fall from the previous poll of five percent. Rann's Preferred Premier rating

6958-544: The Governor who was responsible to the British Crown and tasked with the authority to make laws, and Colonisation Commissioners who were responsible for the sale of land to settlers to fund the colony. This structure was found to be troublesome as the commission had control of the funds rather than the Governor, and as a result in 1838, the Governor was appointed Resident Commissioner to resolve conflict. In 1842

7100-464: The Kaurna language , which formed the basis of the 21st-century language revival of the language. The "native location" and school moved from the southern side of the river (now Bonython Park ) to the northern side several times. During early years of colonisation, the surrounding trees were cut down and the river's gravel used in road making and construction of buildings. As the natural environment

7242-425: The O-Bahn Busway . It passes between the city centre and North Adelaide , forming the Torrens Lake between the Adelaide Zoo and a weir opposite Adelaide Gaol . The river then continues the remaining eight kilometres to the sea at Henley Beach South, emptying into Gulf St Vincent via a constructed outlet. Hope Valley , Millbrook and Kangaroo Creek Reservoirs, which provide water storage for Adelaide, capture

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7384-726: The Paleozoic era then further dislocated during the Cretaceous and earliest Tertiary . There is a 400-metre (1,300 ft) subsidence along the Para Fault which also affects the rivers flow. This subsidence was formed in the last two million years, after the Pliocene era. From its origin to Birdwood the river follows rolling, relatively level country before entering a hilly section that continues to Gumeracha . The river then follows sedimentary rock strata before entering

7526-465: The River Torrens Riverbank precinct, expanding mining and defence industries, the Port Stanvac Desalination Plant , and various major road works including further major upgrades to the North–South Corridor . Public sector budget cuts due to decreased tax receipts stemming from the financial crisis of 2007–2008 caused protest amongst unionists and other traditional Labor voters. Rann defeated

7668-770: The River Torrens ) and would be the largest infrastructure project in the state's history. In 2007, Rann and Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith launched a successful campaign for the Tour Down Under to be the first cycle race outside of Europe to secure ProTour status from the world cycling body, the UCI. Winning ProTour status would guarantee that all the world's top teams would start their annual competition each January in Adelaide. In September 2008 Rann announced that seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong would make his comeback into professional road racing in

7810-871: The Western Australia border to the Great Australian Bight , would be given formal Wilderness Protection status, known as the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area . The Premier said the move would double the area of land in South Australia under environmental protection to 1.8 million hectares. The area includes 390 species of plants and a large number of habitats for rare species of animals and birds. In May 2011, after years of negotiations, Rann joined with Federal Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson to announce that large areas of

7952-564: The Woomera Prohibited Area , the largest defence testing reserve in the world, would be opened up for mining, allowing the future exploitation of mineral deposits estimated at billions of dollars. The first Newspoll of the third term of the Rann Labor government in March 2011 showed Rann's personal satisfaction-dissatisfaction rating at a new low of 30–59 and a two-party vote of 44–56, a swing against Labor of 4.4 percent since

8094-555: The two-party-preferred vote . University of Adelaide Professor of Politics Clem Macintyre said that after the State Bank collapse, Rann had to re-establish Labor's credentials as an economic manager as a matter of urgency, and "in that sense Rann had a whole lot of priorities to concentrate on that Dunstan didn't even think about", with a legacy built on economic achievements, achieving the triple-A credit rating, as well as its capacity to deliver infrastructure projects. In June 2006, Rann and new Health Minister John Hill announced that

8236-598: The "Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works" recommended that an outlet for the river be created to accommodate flows of up to 370 m /s (13,000 cu ft/s), covering a 1-in-60-year flood. The work was partly financed by a Commonwealth Government grant with the State Government arranging for the balance. The State Government, western and eastern local councils and the Municipal Tramways Trust shared interest costs. The scheme

8378-623: The $ 200 million SA Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) to be built adjacent to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital . On 22 November 2009, Seven Network 's Sunday Night current affairs program aired a paid television interview alleging that Rann had an affair with a Parliament House waitress between March 2004 and October 2005. She blamed the affair for the break-up of her marriage, stating "I lost my family over this", although she later revealed that she wanted her estranged husband back. The waitress said her husband became aware of her relationship with Rann in 2005, and that her husband wrote

8520-426: The 1889 flood, the weir was overwhelmed, its gates jammed, and in trying to free them the weir's designer John Langdon was crippled. The weir was rebuilt from 1928 to 1929 with its footbridge relocated and the centre section replaced. The gates can now be fully raised and the river allowed to flow unimpeded. The " Popeye " boats are privately owned recreational ferries that operate on the lake between Elder Park and

8662-399: The 2,840 ML (620 million imp gal; 750 million US gal) Hope Valley Reservoir in the foothills of the Adelaide Hills was completed as a storage reservoir, supplied via an aqueduct and tunnel. Public baths were built in 1861 just north of the current Parliament House . They were supplied with reticulated water from the Torrens and progressively upgraded with

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8804-411: The 2009 Adelaide event. Armstrong's participation in the 2009 Tour Down Under saw it break all previous records for sporting events held in South Australia. Visitor numbers doubled; the economic impact was more than doubled (from $ 17.3 million in 2008 to $ 39 million in 2009) and media coverage increased fivefold. On 11 September 2007, Rann announced that the state government would fund the construction of

8946-440: The Adelaide Hills, which joins the Torrens at Castambul on Gorge Road . At the time of European settlement the river was a summertime chain of waterholes bounded by large gum trees . Flowing through the area where the city of Adelaide is sited the river was sometimes invisible beneath its gravel stream bed . It frequently flooded in winter and did not reach the sea, instead ending at coastal dunes where its waters created

9088-568: The Adelaide Plains, past the city centre and empties into Gulf St Vincent between Henley Beach South and West Beach . The upper stretches of the river and the reservoirs in its watershed supply a significant part of the city's water supply . The river is also known by the native Kaurna name for the river—Karrawirra Parri or Karrawirraparri ( karra meaning redgum , wirra meaning forest and parri meaning river), having been officially dual-named in 2001. Another Kaurna name for

9230-799: The British Parliament reorganised the structure of South Australia's governance by abolishing the Colonisation Commission and creating a Legislative Council of eight people (including the Governor) to exercise the legislative power of the colony. In 1850 the British Parliament passed the Australian Constitutions Act 1850 , which empowered the Legislative Council to alter its own composition. The Legislative Council responded by passing

9372-414: The Commonwealth. In 1934, the Constitution Act 1856 was repealed and replaced with the Constitution Act 1934 , which remains in force today with amendments. South Australia is governed according to the principles of the Westminster system , a form of parliamentary government based on the model of the United Kingdom . Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of

9514-475: The House from the 2010 election until his parliamentary resignation on 13 January 2012. The Labor government Rann formerly led, through Weatherill, became the longest-serving South Australian Labor government and the second longest-serving South Australian government behind the Playmander -assisted Thomas Playford IV . Aside from Playford, following the 2014 election it is the second time that any party has won four consecutive state elections in South Australia,

9656-408: The House of Assembly. Three weeks of deadlock ended when the new legislature met for the first time. With Lewis presiding, Kerin proposed a motion of confidence in his government. The motion failed, and Kerin's government immediately resigned. Rann then advised Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson that he could form a government, and was duly sworn in the next day. In his first term Rann announced:

9798-462: The ICAN initiative and the introduction of the comprehensive Every Chance for Every Child home visiting program for all new babies and their parents. In 2002 Rann launched the Premier's Reading Challenge school literacy initiative, embraced by 95% of public and private schools in South Australia. In 2002 Rann announced and funded the Adelaide Thinkers in Residence program, an idea he developed in Opposition, which brought leading intellectuals from around

9940-426: The Kangaroo Creek dam's level was raised, its spillway modified, the Breakout Creek channel capacity increased and some bridges reinforced. A development plan was approved in 1981 to purchase land along the length of the river, create a flood mitigating linear park and also to modify the Kangaroo Creek dam further. The sea outlet was enlarged to a capacity of 410 m /s (14,000 cu ft/s) which now covered

10082-472: The Minister for the Environment and Conservation. The river is a used by many for recreation, with the footpaths on the riverbanks often filled with cyclists and joggers. Rowers use the lake for training all year round, and many clubs such as the Adelaide University Boat Club , the Adelaide Rowing Club , and the boat houses of the secondary schools which participate in the annual Head of the River are located upon its banks. Several rowing regattas are held on

10224-459: The Popeyes from Elder Park to the zoo became a treasured family outing and the boats hosted weddings and other events. In March 1962 Keith Altman, owner of riverside eatery "Jolley's Boathouse", took over the Popeyes and introduced recreational paddle boats to the river. The Popeyes had a brush with royalty in March 1977 with Popeye 5 ferrying Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip followed by

10366-594: The Rann government approved funding for the construction of a $ 14 million acute mental health building at the Flinders Medical Centre . The building was named after Margaret Tobin , former Director of Mental Health who was murdered in her office in October 2002. Rann later secured the support of conservative independent Rory McEwen and the Nationals' Karlene Maywald by adding them to his cabinet. He also agreed to back Liberal-turned-independent Bob Such as Speaker after Lewis resigned. South Australia's debt achieved

10508-748: The Techport maritime hub in Port Adelaide to underpin the $ 8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer construction and future defence projects. Also in February 2010, during the election campaign, Rann announced a $ 445 million commitment to duplicate the one-way Southern Expressway . He also announced that to celebrate the fiftieth birthday of the Adelaide Festival of Arts the festival would become an annual event (it previously ran every second year) with more than double its current funding. And on 27 February Rann and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd unveiled plans for

10650-415: The abolition of the Playmander . Labor garnered a two-party vote of 56.8 percent, a significant comeback from its low of 39 percent in 1993 under Arnold. Rann personally likened his government to Don Dunstan 's, stating "I'm a totally different person to Dunstan, but in the 70s for different reasons South Australia stood head and shoulders above the crowd. We stood out, we were leaders. The federal government

10792-436: The carters then filled their casks. The "Waterworks Act" of 1856 was passed to enable damming of the upstream Torrens for water supply purposes. The resulting "Water Commission" arranged the following year for foundations to be laid for a water supply weir 11 kilometres (7 mi) from Adelaide near Campbelltown . Unsuitable geology and shoddy work by contractors Frost & Watson led to it being washed away in July 1858 and

10934-680: The city. The river's flora and fauna have been both deliberately and accidentally impacted since settlement . In the 19th century, native forests were cleared, gravel removed for construction and many foreign species introduced. With construction of the linear parks, many species native to the river have been replanted, and introduced species have been controlled as weeds. The river and its tributaries are highly variable in flow, and together drain an area of 508 square kilometres (196 sq mi). They range from sometimes raging torrents, damaging bridges and flooding city areas, to trickles and completely dry in summer. Winter and spring flooding has prompted

11076-687: The construction of flood reduction works. A constructed sea outlet, landscaped linear parks and three holding reservoirs contain peak flow. The River Torrens runs largely westward from the Adelaide Hills, through the centre of Adelaide to the Gulf St Vincent. It originates close to the eastern fault scarp of the Mount Lofty Ranges , near Mount Pleasant , approximately 480 metres (1,575 ft) above sea level . It runs predominantly along faulted north-south ground structures, which were formed over 250 million years ago during

11218-483: The contractors and forced to resign. The water was captured at the weir, piped for storage to the Thorndon Park Reservoir then to a water tower at Kent Town. Water from Kent Town storage was distributed via a manually controlled water system, unmetered for its first six years. Within six years 20,000 citizens in Adelaide and Port Adelaide were connected to reticulated water from the Torrens. By 1872,

11360-461: The current City bridge, but destroyed by floods in September 1844. In 1849 £6,000 was allocated to bridge the Torrens. Within four years three wooden bridges had been built and subsequently destroyed in floods. The bridges listed below are from up-river to down-river. The river was formerly a food source with yabbies , mussels and small fish, however the reduction in water quality, changing of

11502-433: The day after the allegations were aired, Rann called a press conference where he denied the allegations made in the interview, stating that they were malicious lies aimed at damaging him politically and personally. He said, "I have not had sex with her", that he had "never ever hid the fact that I had a friendship with" the lady "over many, many years, and that friendship was one that was based on confidences and discussions, it

11644-592: The department of works favoured a cutting through sand dunes near Henley Beach allowing the river an outlet, mitigating floods and preventing silting of the Port River. He also advocated the construction of a reservoir where the Kangaroo Creek Reservoir is now, to both mitigate floods and provide summer irrigation water for market gardens. Unfortunately the bill lapsed with no action as the government and local councils were unwilling to fund

11786-420: The first occurred when Don Dunstan led Labor to four consecutive victories between the 1970 election and the 1977 election . Following the 2014 election, Labor went from minority to majority government when Nat Cook won the 2014 Fisher by-election by five votes from a 7.3 percent two-party swing. Recent hung parliaments occurred when Labor came to government at the 2002 election and prior to that at

11928-421: The flooding elsewhere. Two early floods were, 18 September 1841 which resulted in two people drowning while trying to cross the river at Klemzig , and 22 September 1844, the largest recorded since settlement began, when "Shands' Brewery" was washed away after the river undermined its foundations . The 1899 flood was particularly widespread with extensive flooding of both the river and its tributaries , after

12070-501: The following 14 Labor Party members and 1 Independent member: The South Australian Government delivers services, determines policy and regulations, including legal interpretation, by a number of agencies grouped under areas of portfolio responsibility. Each portfolio is led by a government minister who is a member of the Parliament. As of September 2024 there were 14 government departments and 14 specialised agencies listed on sa.gov.au, being: A range of other agencies support

12212-504: The forest that was seen by European discoverers. Still present are many of the original vegetation species like: Sheoak ( Casuarina stricta ), native cherry ( Exocarpos cupressiformis ), native pine ( Callitris preissii ) and Australia's floral emblem the golden wattle ( Acacia pycnantha ) From its source the river flows westwards through Birdwood and Gumeracha . It then continues down through Torrens Gorge entering suburban Adelaide at Athelstone with some of its path paralleled by

12354-476: The functions of these departments. River Torrens The River Torrens / ˈ t ɒr ən z / ( Karrawirra Parri / Karrawirraparri ) is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains . It was one of the main reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide , capital of South Australia . It flows 85 kilometres (53 mi) from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant , across

12496-593: The future of WOMADelaide and make it an annual event. In 2002 Rann, who had campaigned in Opposition against plans to privatise the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), announced a major redevelopment for the hospital over ten years. In 2005 Rann and Health Minister Lea Stevens unveiled plans for the QEH's $ 120 million second stage. It included construction of a new three level inpatient building for maternity, surgical, oncology and renal dialysis patients, and

12638-445: The government a 26 to 21 parliamentary majority. First elected Leader of the Opposition following the 1993 election , he remained in the position until the 2002 election . The Labor opposition took two seats from the Liberal minority government , now headed by Rob Kerin . This left Labor one short of majority government while the Liberals were four seats short. Despite this, it initially appeared Kerin would remain in office with

12780-408: The government would replace the current Royal Adelaide Hospital with a $ 1.7 billion new central hospital on a different site to avoid disruption of patients and staff and higher costs. Controversially they announced that the new hospital would be named after Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson because of her decades of fund raising for leukemia research. Following a public backlash the naming decision

12922-480: The governor and senior ministers. The Governor plays an important practical role under the state's constitution and fulfils a symbolic role as local head of state. The Governor is appointed by the King and, for most practical purposes, exercises His Majesty's powers in the state. These include the fundamental powers to dissolve Parliament, call elections and appoint and dismiss ministers. The Governor in Executive Council

13064-485: The initial exploration party, but later renamed to honour Robert Torrens senior, chairman of the board of Colonisation Commissioners for South Australia from 1834 to 1841 (when he was sacked). From March 1837 settlers camped in tents and makeshift huts along the west end of the River Torrens and freely used the river's resources. A Native Location was created on the north banks of the Torrens and indigenous labour

13206-428: The lake are icons of the area and frequently featured in postcard photographs of the city. Due to now-limited natural river flow and stormwater born organic material, the lower river, (particularly the lake), is often polluted with algal blooms and significant levels of E. coli bacteria in spring and summer. Numerous taskforces have been formed to improve the river's water quality , including one created in 2006 by

13348-504: The last change a 1940 remodelling including an Olympic-size swimming pool and diving tower. The baths were demolished in 1970 to make way for the Adelaide Festival Centre . The 16,500 ML (3.6 billion imp gal; 4.4 billion US gal) Millbrook Reservoir was constructed high in the Adelaide Hills from 1913 to 1918 submerging the town of Millbrook. An earth bank dam fed by mile long tunnel from

13490-534: The last weeks of Rann's premiership, he signed off on a record $ 30 billion Olympic Dam mining deal with BHP , opened the new South Australian Police headquarters, and oversaw the commencement of operation of the Port Stanvac Desalination Plant . He voiced his support for a further Glenelg tram line expansion. Rann also voiced his support for same-sex marriage , prompting Liberal leader Isobel Redmond to also support same-sex marriage. Following negotiations in Australia and Mexico, Rann announced in October 2011 that

13632-498: The more than 100 species seen. The number of exotic waterfowl species such as mallards has reduced in recent years. In places the steep banks of the river are an ideal habitat for long-necked tortoises . The river, and its tributaries, had a population of water rats (Hydromys chrysogaster) and Australian swamp rats ( Rattus lutreolus ). Water rats remain in reduced numbers, but the introduced black rat ( Rattus rattus ) and brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ) have largely supplanted

13774-409: The natives. The house mouse ( Mus musculus ) is now the most common mammal of the Torrens environ. Widely found native reeds , sedges and rushes along the upper river are bulrush , knobby club rush, spike rush, common reed, sea rush and pale rush . River red gum ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ) and blue gum ( Eucalyptus leucoxylon ) trees are found along the riverbanks, although sparser than

13916-659: The original vegetation has disappeared from the creeks, particularly those closest to the city. Introduced species including olives , bamboo , boxthorn , watsonia and blackberries have displaced native flora. There is some risk of flooding from all of these eastern suburbs creeks, as shown by the Floodplain Study, which includes plans and maps drawn up by the City of Burnside and neighbouring councils. First Creek begins in Cleland Wildlife Park on

14058-676: The party or coalition which holds a majority of the House of Assembly (the lower chamber of the South Australian Parliament). South Australia was established via letters patent by King William IV in February of 1836, pursuant to the South Australian Colonisation Act 1834 . Governance in the colony was organised according to the principles developed by Edward Wakefield , where settlement would be conducted by free settlers rather than convicts. Therefore governance would be divided between

14200-823: The poll slump down to "labour movement ructions" over the underfunded WorkCover liability (see 2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster ), consolidation of rural health services, and the continued degradation of the River Murray . In February 2008, Rann announced that South Australians would be paid 10 cents for every can or bottle they recycled by doubling the container deposit levy. In March 2008 Rann announced that non-reusable plastic bags used in supermarkets would be banned in 2009, preventing 400 million bags each year from entering waste and litter streams each year. He called on other states and territories to follow South Australia's lead, given that 4 billion plastic bags were discarded each year in Australia. Newspoll saw Labor back in

14342-822: The powers held by the Secretary of State for the Colonies regarding the appointment to official positions in the colony, immigration, and customs matters. When federation occurred in 1901, South Australia became a state of the Commonwealth of Australia under the Constitution of Australia , which regulates the South Australia's relationship with the Commonwealth. The state ceded certain executive powers (such as defence and customs), but retained powers in all matters not withdrawn from them or in conflict with

14484-672: The premiership on 21 October 2011. Jay Weatherill was elected unopposed as his successor. Government of South Australia The Government of South Australia , also referred to as the South Australian Government or the SA Government , is the executive branch of the state of South Australia . It is modelled on the Westminster system , meaning that the highest ranking members of the executive are drawn from an elected state parliament . Specifically

14626-492: The reed beds, and Yertala everywhere when in flood, which has survived as Yatala in the naming of various places in Adelaide. Pirltawardli , now within Park 1/Pitawardli, a location next to the river near the weir, on the western side of North Adelaide , is an area of great historical significance, as the location of a Kaurna camp and later the first Christian mission and school in South Australia. The missionaries documented

14768-401: The rest numbered consecutively northward. They were once named Greenhill, Hallett, Todd, Anstey and Ormsby rivulets respectively, and had Kaurna names before European settlement. First, Second and Third Creeks have been particularly heavily modified. Some sections have been converted to concrete channels; others run through landscaped private gardens and some run in underground pipes. Much of

14910-481: The river has been dually known by the indigenous Kaurna people's name of Karra wirra-parri (meaning river of the Red Gum forest), referring to the dense eucalyptus forest that lined its banks prior to clearing by early settlers. This name, alternatively Karra-weera , only referred to the lake section of the river, between Adelaide and North Adelaide. It was known as Karrundo-ingga at Hindmarsh , Witoingga near

15052-515: The river was Tarndaparri (Kangaroo river). The river was thought to be a reflection of the Milky Way ("wodliparri"), and was the heartland of the Kaurna people , who lived along its length and around the tributary creeks. At its 1836 exploration by William Light , an inland bend was chosen as the site of the Adelaide city centre and North Adelaide . The river was first named the Yatala by

15194-443: The river's alluvial fan. As development of Adelaide progressed the amount of rainfall required for flooding decreased and consequent damage increased. Increased stormwater runoff, modification of the river's banks and other changes all served to exacerbate the problem. Work done by various groups to minimise flooding was often counter productive with the creation of levees , moving and widening channels and other works simply shifting

15336-469: The river's flow. These reservoirs form part of the Adelaide Hills catchment, which supplies 60% of Adelaide's water needs in an average year. Adelaide City Council uses water from the lower river to irrigate the city's surrounding parklands . Rubbish accumulation in the lower river is controlled with numerous collection racks, and sediments and other pollutants are filtered through constructed wetlands . The earliest linear river park in Australia bounds

15478-510: The river's habitat, and introduction of European fish species has led to a reduction in fauna quantity and diversity. Exotic pest species such as the European carp , redfin perch and trout have greatly reduced native fish populations like the big headed gudgeon ( Philypnodon grandiceps ) but native waterfowl are common along the river with Pacific black ducks , Australian wood ducks , black swans , ibis , egrets and herons amongst

15620-449: The river's natural beauty, and developing it for recreational uses. The "River Torrens Acquisition Act 1970–72" was passed, authorising the purchase of land, in some cases 60 metres (200 ft) back from the top of the river's banks. By 1980, further development along the riverbanks and removal of levées had reduced the outlet's capacity to a 1-in-35-year flood. A study showed that a 1-in-200-year flood would inundate 13,000 properties; so

15762-482: The river's use for potable water this has greatly reduced the overall flow especially in the lower river. A flood mitigation bill was passed in 1917 to not only combat the damage caused by floods but also the public health risk due to the lack of mains sewerage in the western suburbs. Popular opinion favoured diverting the flood waters into their "natural" outlets of the Port and Patawalonga Rivers. The chief engineer of

15904-458: The site abandoned. Engineer Hamilton was replaced by John England . Government then created a Waterworks Department, which started construction of a weir 16 kilometres (10 mi) from the city and reservoir at Thorndon Park in 1859. The weir was completed on 4 June 1860 and the reservoir began supplying piped water in December. Engineer England was found by a Select Committee to have overpaid

16046-524: The site for the suburb of West Lakes . Based on recommendations in a 1925 report on flood mitigation, work began in the 1960s on the building of the Kangaroo Creek Reservoir, opened in 1969 with a capacity of 24.4 megalitres (860,000 cu ft). It remains the only reservoir damming the river rather than being fed from weirs. The "River Torrens Committee" was formed in 1964 to advise the minister of works on preserving and enhancing

16188-615: The state Liberal retained government in 1997 which saw the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia, created in 1974, win re-election for the first time. Labor went from minority to majority government when Nat Cook won the 2014 Fisher by-election by five votes from a 7.3 percent two-party swing which was triggered by the death of Such. Despite this, the Jay Weatherill Labor government kept Brock and Hamilton-Smith in cabinet, giving

16330-413: The state election campaign, Rann also apologised for any stress that the friendship may have caused. Polling was conducted by The Advertiser in December 2009 with answers to questions revealing little voter interest in the allegations. Others suggested that it was the turning point for Rann's decline, with the issue causing indirect damage over a sustained period of time. The Rann Labor government won

16472-527: The state's Integrated Design Commissioner, Tim Horton, said in 2011: "Its targets are really great, but I don't think any of us have signed on to why those targets exist or what we can do to further them. It's a top-down approach. I worry the document exists in the minds of agencies but not in the minds of people." Rann's achievements included raising job numbers and lowering unemployment, increasing new project funding, increasing expenditure on schools, university, health and mental illness, halving rough-sleeping in

16614-524: The streets, increasing Aboriginal employment, making the state home to the largest amount of wind power in Australia, developing hot rock power , and utilising solar power for the public service. He subsidised theatres, added Guggenheim galleries, introduced the Festival of Ideas and Adelaide's Thinker in Residence program, and encouraged the idea that film festivals fund movies. He introduced WOMAD ,

16756-437: The suburban end of the river. The park is 35 km long with numerous playgrounds walkways and bicycle tracks. On the south bank of the lake, adjacent to the Adelaide Festival Centre , Elder Park is used for the annual Tasting Australia festival, mass singing of christmas carols at the annual "Carols by Candlelight", and other public events throughout the year. The Popeye tourist boats, small paddle boats and Black Swans of

16898-510: The suburbs of Magill , Tranmere , Trinity Gardens and Payneham , much of the way underground, before discharging into the Torrens at Felixstow . Fourth Creek , or Morialta Creek , arises on the other side of Norton Summit, with various tributaries flowing into it from Marble Hill and Lobethal . It is most well known for its falls in Morialta Conservation Park . "Moriatta", a Kaurna word meaning "ever flowing",

17040-405: The support of four independents. However, one of those independents, former Liberal Peter Lewis , agreed to support Labor in return for a constitutional convention and being named Speaker. Lewis' decision was controversial, prompting Kerin to announce that since the Liberals had won a bare majority of the two-party vote, he would stay in office until Labor demonstrated it had support on the floor of

17182-423: The swamp the summer filth of Adelaide we cannot guess; but the Torrens at other times is not a river at all, but merely a chain of fresh water pools. At the present moment, its running water may be spanned with the hand and sounded with the forefinger Since settlement it has repeatedly flooded, sometimes with disastrous consequences. Adelaide's western suburbs were especially prone to flooding due to their location on

17324-488: The title of "Mad March". South Australia achieved a AAA credit rating under the Rann Labor government, prompting Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan to praise Labor's economic management. Rann was often the most popular Premier in the country, with his approach to government generally moderate and crisis-free. Following the 2006 election landslide where Labor was re-elected with a historic 56.8 percent two-party-preferred vote , Newspoll early in 2007 saw Rann peak at

17466-404: The undertaking of various major road works including major upgrades to the North–South Corridor and South Road . His government also introduced Adelaide's Thinker in Residence program, and increased funding to the Festival of Ideas , WOMADelaide , the Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Adelaide Festival of Arts , with the closeness of events on the calendar earning the third month of the year

17608-439: The variability of Adelaide's climate , flow rates can change from a trickle to flood conditions quickly. On 5 June 1889, prior to major flooding, the flow rate before it entered the suburbs was 0.7 cubic metres per second (25  cu ft/s ), rising to 129.1 m /s (4,560 cu ft/s), eight days later. What the River Torrens may be capable of performing for a week or two of the rainy season beyond sweeping down to

17750-809: The weir near Thorndon Park Reservoir, 3 feet (0.9 m) over the Torrens Lake Weir and 1 foot (0.3 m) over the Morphett Street Bridge. The Underdale (or Holbrooks) Bridge was destroyed, the Torrens Lake weir's bridge damaged, and the Felixstow Bridge over the Fourth Creek washed away. The first European sighting of the river was in November 1836 by an exploration party comprising Lieutenant W.G. Field , John Morphett and George Strickland Kingston . The river

17892-473: The western side of Mount Lofty and Crafers , flows north-west through the south-eastern suburbs, past a drop at the Waterfall Gully falls, through Hazelwood and Tusmore Parks , and Marryatville High School , before discharging into the Torrens near Adelaide Zoo . Much of its course through the suburbs has been canalised , some underground. About 7.5% of its flow is diverted as it flows through

18034-415: The works. The Millbrook Reservoir opened in 1918 as a summer water source, and flood mitigator if required. A bill was passed in 1923 to enact the earlier plan of cutting through the dunes and adding an upstream regulating weir. Again the bill lapsed due to a lack of commitment from parties on payment. A major flood in 1931 and another in 1933 led to the latest in a series of government enquiries. In 1934

18176-654: The world to Adelaide to assist him and the government to initiate reforms and tackle public policy challenges as varied as climate change, early childhood education, city planning and design, ageing policy and science education. In May 2002, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the South Australian Film Corporation , Rann announced the establishment of the Adelaide Film Festival with additional funds to enable it to invest in innovative films. In England in June 2002 Rann met with WOMAD founder Peter Gabriel to secure

18318-403: The year in their lower reaches, but prone to occasional flooding during the winter and spring. There are five main creeks that join it from the southern side as it crosses the Adelaide Plains east of Adelaide, and at least five more in its path through the Adelaide Hills. The plains tributaries, known as First to Fifth Creeks, lie to the east of the city, with First being the most southerly and

18460-606: Was announced for railways in Adelaide to extend the Noarlunga line from Noarlunga Centre to Seaford , including a bridge over the Onkaparinga River . The electrification of the line was also announced. In December 2009, Rann announced a $ 450 million government commitment to redevelop Adelaide Oval to enable Australian Football League (AFL) Football to be played there. In February 2010 Rann, accompanied by US Deputy Secretary of Defense William J Lynn , opened

18602-504: Was at 50 percent compared to 25 percent for then Liberal leader Martin Hamilton-Smith . Third quarter 2008 polling saw a more pronounced drop in the primary vote, down three to 38 percent, with the Liberal vote up five to 40 percent, breaking to a two-party vote of 50–50 after preferences – the Preferred Premier figure recorded a six-point drop to 48 percent for Rann and up three to 30 percent for Hamilton-Smith. Some commentators put

18744-440: Was completed on time and on budget and cost $ 1.83 billion. In October 2007, Rann opened an extension of the Glenelg tram line through the city to North Terrace and Morphett Street . He opened a further extension of the tramline along Port Road to the redeveloped and expanded Adelaide Entertainment Centre in March 2010. In November 2007 Rann and Health Minister John Hill announced a $ 157 million "comprehensive overhaul" of

18886-435: Was elected to a third four-year term at the 2010 election , retaining majority government despite a swing − giving Labor a record 12 years in government. Rann successor Jay Weatherill would go on to form a minority government after the 2014 election , however later that year a majority government was formed resulting from a by-election outcome, giving state Labor a record 16 years in government and will attempt 20 years from

19028-468: Was enacted in 1935 with the construction of the Breakout Creek (also sometimes Breakout Channel ) to take the Torrens westwards to the sea, completed in 1937. The scheme involved diversion of the river at Lockleys (near Adelaide Airport ), with the original channel blocked and a new channel created to the sea. The reedbeds and swamps were subsequently drained and some of their area is now

19170-470: Was funny, it was flirty, just like any other friendship would be". Rann also responded that "Channel Seven's program was, in my view, outrageous." In February 2010, the Seven Network paid an out-of-court settlement to Rann and issued an apology for suggesting the affair had an effect on Rann discharging his duties as Premier of South Australia. The following month, during a televised debate as part of

19312-399: Was given a two-year good behaviour bond, with no conviction recorded. Rann commented before the interview went to air that claims of a sexual relationship were "wildly sensational", and that once he had seen the program, he would respond with a "brief statement". He also expressed frustration that he had been unable to "clear the air" because matters were before a court. On 23 November 2009,

19454-567: Was later increased to 3 million trees by 2014 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. In social policy the Rann government established the Social Inclusion Initiative, headed by Monsignor David Cappo , to examine ways to tackle entrenched areas of disadvantage such as rough sleeping homelessness, with the establishment of Common Ground Adelaide and Street to Home initiatives. Rann's government also tackled poor school retention rates with

19596-402: Was later reversed. In June 2007 Rann unveiled the plans for the new hospital, to be built over railway yards on North Terrace between Morphett Street and West Terrace . He announced that the new hospital would be the most technologically advanced in Australia; would have 40 operating theatres and procedure rooms; 880 beds, with 100% being single patient rooms with ensuites (80% having views over

19738-698: Was named "The Yatala" by the party but later renamed by Surveyor General Colonel William Light after Robert Torrens , chairman of the South Australian Colonisation Commission . On 29 December 1836 Light announced the location of the new city of Adelaide, 6 miles (9.7 km) inland on the river's banks. The first Europeans to explore the Torrens Gorge to the headwaters and sources of the river were Dr George Imlay and John Hill in January 1838. In recent years

19880-409: Was often used by the settlers for tasks such as hewing wood or delivering water. During the early years of settlement, the river acted as both the city's primary water source and main sewer , leading to outbreaks of typhoid . Since European settlement the river has been a frequently touted tourist attraction . The river's long linear parks and a constructed lake in the lower stretch are iconic of

20022-414: Was poorly constructed and almost immediately the Torrens washed it away. Construction of a permanent concrete weir was begun in November 1880 and completed, at a cost of £7,000, in 1881. The sluice gates were closed to begin filling the 12-hectare (30-acre) Torrens Lake on 1 July 1881. At the lake's official opening on 21 July 1881 an estimated 40,000, almost the entire population of Adelaide, attended. During

20164-479: Was removed, the banks were eroded and the riverbed gradually levelled as waterholes filled. By 1878 the river was noted to be a malodorous, black sewer rather than the sylvan stream of the 1830s. ...anything in the guise of a river more ugly than the Torrens would be impossible to either see or describe... Much of the river's catchment area consists of cleared farmland with run-off captured in private dams to sustain farming over Adelaide's dry summer. Combined with

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